Core taking device



Sept. 29., 1936. M. SCHLUMBERGER 2,055,506

CORE TAKING DEVICE Filed D80. 15, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet l Sept- 29, 1936-M. SCHLUMBERGER CORE TAKING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1955 4 SheetsSheet 2Sept. 29, 1936- M. SCHLUMBERGER 2,055,506

com: TAKING DEVICE Filed Dec. 15, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 m &

Sept. 29, 1936. M. SCHLUMBERGER CORE TAKING DEVICE Filed Dec 15, 1935 4Sheets-Sheet 4 a mi Patented Sept. 29, 1936 PATENT OFFICE CORE TAKINGDEVICE Marcel Schlumberger, Paris, France Application December 13,1935,Serial No. 54,340 In France July 12, 1985 31 Claims. (CL 255-1) IDevices are known by means of which cores, 1. e. samples of theformations traversed by a bore hole, can be taken not only at the bottomof the latter as the boring progresses downwards, '5 but alsofrom thelateral wall of a hole already bored, and in fact at any depth and atany time before the lowering into place of the casing.

The operation of coring or sampling comprises three phases, first thepenetration of the coring tool into the formation so as to cut out thesample or core, second the extraction of the coring tool complete withthe core from the formation which it has entered, and third the raisingof the coring tool to the surface of the ground without losing the core.7

. In present-day practice the kind of boring apparatus used mostly is ofthe rotary type and the cores are taken ed at the bottom of the borehole by means of a tool of tubular shape fixed at the bottom of thedrilling string. However, this method takes a long time and isexpensive, because each time a core is to be extracted and raised to thesurface it is necessary for the entire drilling string to be raised tothe surface of the ground and then lowered again.

The specification of the United States Patent No. 1,955,166 filed on the20th July, 1931, describes apparatus by means of which cores can betaken from the yet unbored bottom of the bore hole. This apparatus isintended to be fixed at the bottom of the drilling-string and comprisesthe boring tool itself which is of a special type,

together with firing mechanism for shooting hollow projectiles. Thepurpose of the projectiles is to take cores during the boring operationfrom the formation at the bottom of the bore hole. The projectiles areextracted out of the formation by the actual operation of boring, andare then raised to the surface by the circulation of the drilling-mud,on account of their lightness.

However, this apparatus has the disadvantage of requiring a specialboring tool which is quite different from the types which have long beenconsecrated by practice, in order that the coring projectile can beextracted without suffering damage.

Moreover, the total volume of each coring projectile is much larger thanthe useful volume, on

account of the necessity of incorporating with it a material of lowspecific gravity so that th whole projectile may be light enough tofloat up to the surface and so be recovered.

United States Patent 2,020,856 of Nov. 12, 1935 and 2,015,873 of Oct. 1,1935 describe methods and apparatus for taking samples called lateralcores; Apparatus of this kind has the characteristic that during all thethree phases of operation mentioned above, the coring tool properremains fixed on a lever itself integral with the remainder of theapparatus which has been lowered into the bore hole; this lever servesto embed 5 the coring tool into the lateral wall of the bore hole and towithdraw it therefrom. Such an arrangement necessarily comprises a rigidconnection of the coring tool with the rest of the apparatus, and due tothis fact involves certain disl0 advantages of which the chief ones arethe weight and bulk of the apparatus as compared with the dimensions ofthe coring member proper, the necessity of setting into movementnumerous members for taking the core, which reduces the 15 reliabilityof operation and requires increased power, the risk of-sticking theapparatus if the lever does not return properly and a non-rectilinearmovement of the coring member, which may contribute to the taking of anunsatisfactory 20 lateral core.

The object of the present invention is an arrangement for taking coresin the lateral wall of a .bore hole and intended to be lowered into thebore hole to the level of the bed to be investigated. 25

This arrangement comprises in essence a projectile intended to penetrateinto the formation constituting the wall of the bore hole and take acore in it, a gun intended to shoot the said projectile into theformation by the defiagration 30 of an explosive charge and a flexibleconnection between the projectile and the gun for the purpose ofextracting the projectile with its core out of the formation into whichit has penetrated and of bringing it up to the surface together with 35the arrangement.

The present invention has the following advantages over the lateralcoring apparatus previously described:-

I. By increasing the charge of explosive and 40 the length of theflexible connection it permits the taking of lateral cores even in boreholes of very large diameter or those containing cavities and at arelatively great depth in the lateral wall.

2. There is no risk of sticking the apparatus 45 lowered into the borehole, because if by a mischance the projectile were embedded in theground at such a depth in the wall that it would not be withdrawn withthe gun, the flexible connection may be designed so as to break at a 50certain stress, so that the gun can be retrieved. The latter if left inthe bore hole would be a source of danger in the further work to beeffected therein, whereas the projectile remaining embedded in theformation is harmless. 55

3. The entire apparatus is very small in weight and bulk so that acertain number of suchappliances can be lowered at the same time fortaking several cores during one operation, and it is even possible toconnect the bodies of the guns to electric cables with one or moreconductors and utilize them as measuring electrodes in the electricprospection of formations by determining the resistivities and thespontaneous differences of potential, in accordance with U. S. Patents1,819,923,:Aug. .18, 1931, and'1,913',293, June 6, 1933. In this way itis possible, from the surface, to locate the exact position of the bedsin relation to the coring apparatus and to bring the latter exactly tothe depth of the bed which it is desired to sample.

4. By adjusting the filament used to deflagrate the explosive in the gunso that it only gives rise to this deflagration above a certain valueof'the current sent from the surface into the insulated cable, it ispossible touse this same cable for any other apparatus at a lowercurrent value, for

example for effecting the electrical measurements mentioned above.

5. The coringtool projected into the wall follows a'rectilinear path sothat. the cores can be taken exactly at the desired depth.

The present invention makesv it possible, in particular, to take samplesof the fluid impregnating a porous bed. 7

- In the accompanying. drawings various embodiments of the invention areshown, which are not to be taken as in any way limiting the scope of theinvention, and therein:

Figure 1' is a sectional elevation of an appliance in which the flexibleconnection between the projectile and the gun is in the form of aflexible metallic cable attached at one end to the internal wall of thegun and at the other end to the rear wall of the projectile which isopen at the front end only. i I

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of the appliance shown in Figure 1after the projectile has been shot into the formation,

Figure 3v is a sectional elevation of the same appliance while it isbeing raised to the surface,

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of an appliance in which the flexibleconnection between the projectile and the gun is in the form of twoflexible metallic cables each fixed, at one end, to the external wall ofthe gun, and, at the other, to the front wall of the projectile, whichis open at both ends,

Figure 5 is a plan taken in section through the axis of the projectilewhich is used in the apparatus of Figure .4,

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of an appliance having thesameflexible connection between projectile and gun as in Figures 4 and5, but with a closed and empty projectile having a front wall intendedto be forced in by the impact of the projectile against the formation,

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional plans of projectiles shown withtheirflexible connections to the gun and provided with containers forreceiving a sample of fluid and retaining it intact by means of a springvalve while the apparatus is being raised tothe surface.

Figure 9 is a sectional elevation of an appliance in which the flexibleconnection between the projectile and the gun is in the form of aflexible tube for passing a, sample of fluid into a container attachedto the gun, and provided with a spring valve,

Figure 10 is an elevation on the axis of the bore hole showingdiagrammatically the setting into operation of a plurality of appliancesby means of a single conductorcable,

Figure 11 is a sectional elevation showing how two appliances inaccordance with the invention are set into operation separately by meansof an inertia relay in the upper gun released by the recoil of this gun,and

Figures 12, 13 and 14 show in three different operating positions amodified form of relay having the same function as that of Figure 11.

' Referring to the drawings, i is-"an insulated conductor forming partof the cable which supports the apparatus, and which is used forlowering it to the level of the bed to be sampled.

This conductor passes through the body 8 of the apparatus by means of aninsulating bushing 2 and is connected to one terminal of a filament 4,having its other terminal 5 connected in different alternative ways. InFigure 4 the terminal 5 is connected to the body by contact with a plug6 screwed into the body to close the detonation chamber 1. In Figure 1the terminal 5 is connected to another conductor 8 of the supportingcable, this conductor also passing through the body 3 by means of aninsulating bushing 9. The detonation chamber contains the explosivecharge ill, the deflagration of which expels the projectile ll out ofthe body; the projectile takes the form of a tube adapted to contain thecore and may be of any appropriate form.

The operation offiring the projectile is efiected in the different formsof apparatus referred to as will now be described. A suitable source ofcurrent located at the surface of the ground passes into the conductorl' a current which returns to the other pole of the source of currenteither through the conductor 8 or through the body of the apparatus andthe ground after passing through the filament 4, the heating of whichcauses the deflagration of the explosive charge Ill. The pressureresulting in the detonation chamber 1 is transmitted to the rear end ofthe projectile I i which is thus shot into the formation.

Rubber packing l2 prevents any leakage between the detonation chamber 1and the bore hole outside.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, current is passedthrough two conductors l and 8 so that this apparatus can be used evenin the part of the bore hole in which there is no water or mud. Theflexible connection between the apparatus which forms the gun and theprojectile takes the form of a flexible metallic cable l3, one end ofwhich is fixed to the projectile by a screw i4 and the other end isfixed by a screw I5 to a metallic plug i6 screwed into the body 3 of theapparatus. The projectile H is open at its front end and has lateralapertures ll at its rear end- Theprojectile shot into the formationunwinds behind it the cable l3 and cuts out a core l8 as shown in Figure2. If the bore hole contains water or mud the latter is expelled fromthe projectile through the apertures IT. To extract the projectile outof the formation it is sufflcient with its core.

Once the projectile is extracted, it is raised to the surface togetherwith the whole apparatus,

j 2,056,506 below which it will hang by'the flexible cable i3,

as shown in Figure 3.

In the apparatus shown in Figures 4 and 5 the supply of current iseffected through a single conductor, the circuit through the fllamentlbe- 1 ing completed through the body of the apparatus, the water or mudwhich fills the bore hole up to at least the level of the apparatus andthe ground. The flexible connection between gun and projectile is in theform of two flexible metallic cables is each'having one end fixed to theprojectile H by means of a welded lug and the other end fixed to thebody of the apparatus by a screw 2 I. The projectile i I has both endsopen and its bore is filled by a plug 22 screwed into the body 3 behindthe rear end of the projectile.

After the deflagration of the explosive charge.

the pressure of the gases produced is exerted on the rear annular end 23of the projectile, which is thus shot into the formation, easily cuttingout a core there.

The flexible metallic cables iii are used for extracting the projectileas previously described by raising and lowering the apparatusalternately and for finally bringing it to the surface of the ground.

Referring to Figure 6, the flexible connection between the gun andprojectile takes the form of two flexible metallic cables 24 flxed tothe projectile by lugs 25 and to the body of the appara'tus by screws25. I The projectile is tubular, for holding a sample, and is closed atits rear end by a base 21 in which a hole 28 is provided with a metallicscrew plug 29. At its front end, the

projectile'has an opening 30 narrower than the internal diameter of theprojectile and closed by a small plate 3i soldered to the edge 32 of thetube andso making it air and water-tight.

The plate 3i is sheared by the shock of the projectile on the formationand passes to the bottom of the projectile at the position 3| showndotted. The extraction of the projectile and the raising of it to thesurface are carried out as in the appliances previously described. Toextract the core out of the projectile without destroying it, all thatis necessary is to unscrew the plug 29 and to screw into the hole 28 athreaded rod which by pushing forward the little plate 3i pushes thecore out of the projectile. The projectile in this case will bepreferably emptied of air before lowering it into the bore hole,otherwise when it is being raised to the surface the air imprisoned atthe bottom of the projectile might expand and drive the core out.

The projectile shown in Figure 7 takes the form of a. sampling tubehaving a base 33 with an orifice for the reception of a screwed plug 34.A partition 35 divides the projectile into two compartments 36 and 31,and has in it an aperture 38, normally closed by a valve. The valve ismade up of'a metallic ball 38 and a spring 40 supported against the rearend of the projectile and pressing the ball on to the seat 4| of thepartition 35. The front part'of the projectile has an orifice 42 whichis closed before the taking of the sample by a thin soldered plate 43.The partition 35 has on its front face a flat peripheral part 44 with afew recesses 45. The projectile is provided at the front with two lugs46 to receive the flexible connecting cables 41 and it is provided atthe rear with rubber packing l2 to ensure the air and water-tightness ofthe gun.

The projectile being previously empty, the shock of its impact on theformation forces in thelittle plate 43 which comes into place on theseating 44 in the position 43' shown dotted. At the same time as theformation enters the projectile, the ball 39 is pushed rearwards by thepressure of the fluid, which passes through the recesses 45 and aperture38 and fills the rear container 31. As soon as the container is filled,so that the pressures are balanced in the two compartments 36 and 31,the ball 39 is pressed on to its seat 44 by the spring 40, and the fluidin the rear container 31 is brought intact to the surface, where it isrecovered by unscrewing the rear plug 34.

The projectile shown in Figure 8 comprises a sampling tube 49 having arear aperture closed front aperture 5i closed by a thin soldered plate52. An intermediate partition 53 with holes 54 through it, divides theprojectile into two compartments 55 and 56. A valve 51 of which the rodpasses through one of the apertures 54 and which is provided with aspring 58, normally closes the holes 54. Two lugs 59 are provided at thefront of the projectile for fixing the flexible connecting cables 60.

The shock of the impact on the formation forces in the plate 52; theformation and the fluid rush into the compartment 55 and their pressurepushes back the valve 51, uncovering the holes 54. As soon as the fluidshave fllled the rear compartment 56 the valve again closes the holes 54under the eifect of the spring 58. The fluid enclosed in the compartment56 is brought intact to the surface and is recovered by unscrewing theplug 50.

In the apparatus shown in Figure 9 theflexible connection between thegun and the projectile is in the form of a flexible metallic tube Glofwhich one end is screwed into the rear aperture 28 of the projectile llof Figure 6 and the other end into a metallic plug 62 itself screwedinto the body 3. This plug has an aperture 63 communicating with a tube64 of which one end is soldered to the plug 62 and the other to areservoir 55. The tube 64 terminates in this reservoir by a conicalvalve comprising a. cone 66 and a spring 61 which normally applies thecone to its seating.

The projectile and the reservoir being initially empty or filled withair, the shock of the impact of the projectile i I on the wall moves theplate originally closing its front aperture to the position 3i. throughthe flexible tube iii, the opening 63 of the plug BZ'and the tube 64and, pushing back the cone 56, enters the reservoir 65. As soon as thelatter is filled the spring 61 replaces the cone 56 on its seat, and thefluid contained in the reservoir is raised intact to the surface. Theextraction of the projectile can be effected as in the case of theappliances previously described.

' The small weight of the appliances makes it possible to fix severalsimultaneously on one supporting cable, so that a certain number ofcores can be taken. However, so as not to increase unduly the number ofinsulated conductors in the cable it is advantageous to use a singleconductor to fire several guns.

To put into operation the appliances indicated in Figure 10, threefilaments 4 contained in guns, which themselves are not shown, areconnected at one end of each to the insulated conductors i and at theother end 5 to the body 3 of each apparatus. At the surface a source ofby a threaded" metallic plug 50, andhaving a By its pressure the fluidpasses hole and the ground;

. resistances.

current 60, and regulatingmeans, has-one pole connected to theconductor'l by means of a switch 69 and the other pole I to the ground.

.The passage of a current inthe closed circuit, which is completedthrough the mud of the bore will cause the heating of the filaments andthe, simultaneous taking of samples by the three appliances if thefilaments 4 are identical with each other and have equal If thefilaments are difierent or have different resistances, it ispossible toeffect separate and successive taking of cores by increasing the currentafter each appliance has been brought to the desired depth.

Figure 11 shows suspended on the cable I having a single insulatedelectric conductona group of two appliances II and 12 connected togetherby a cable I3, which likewise has only a single insulated conductor. Inthe upper appliance II there is a relay comprising an inertia mass Itheld between compression springs I which are fixed by insulatingsupports I6 to the body 3 of the appliance. The relay can also take upthe position I4 shown in dotted lines. In the first position this relaycompletes the electric circuit via. cable I, cable 18, body I4, cable19, filament 4, wire 5', plug 6, ground. .In the second position itcompletes the circuit via cable I,'cable 80, body 14, cable 8i, cable13, filament of the lower appliance I2, ground. The apparatus alsocomprises a dash-pot 82, the piston of which is insulated at its frontpart where it comes into contact with the body I1.

The relay I4 is originally in the first position, which is shown'in fulllines in, the figure, thus completing the first circuit above mentioned,and accordingly current passes into the conductor I and the groundeffects coring by means of the upper appliance II. In consequence of therecoil of the gun and the inertia of the body I4, the latter now takesup the position I4 and completes the second of the circuits abovedescribed. The dash-pot 82 breaks this movement sufliciently at itslatter part to make it possible to break the circuit at the surfacebefore the second circuit is established. After the lower appliance I2is brought opposite a bed which appears to be of interest, a freshpassage of current into the conductor I effects coring by means of thesecond appliance.

In this way it is possible to combine a plurality of appliances each ofwhich, except the last, is provided with a relay as described. All theappliances are then connected to a single conductor cable and can beused for successive coring at any desired level, Each time one gun isfired the recoil will act on the relay associated with it and thus putinto circuit the filament of the next appliance.

In Figures 12 to 14 the conductor I of the in-- sulated cable on whichthe set of guns is suspended, is connected to one of the terminals of anelectromagnet with core 83 and t0 the contact 85. The other terminal ofthe electromagnet is connected to the contacts 84 and 85. A contact 86is connected by the conductor 81 to the filament, not shown, of the gunto which the relay described is attached. A contact 08 is connected by aconductor 89 to the filament, not shown, of another gun. Two metallicblades 90, 9| pivoted on fixed axes 92 and 93 carry metallic masses 9dand 95 opposite the poles 96 and 91 respectively of the electromagnet.Springs 98 and 09 having one end of each fixed respectively tostationary points I00 and MI, tend to move the blades 90 and 9! awayfrom the electromagnet. The blade 00 has at its lower extremity a smallshoulder I02. The blade 8| carries at its lower extremity, by means of apivot I03, 9, bar I04 with a hook at its end I05. This blade 90 alsocarries two wide metallic contacts l06 and I01 insulated from the bladeby insulating plates I08 and I09.-

Figure 12 shows the relay ready to operate. The hook I05 of the bar I04encompasses the blade 00 above the shoulder I02; the spring 98, which isstronger than the spring 99, acts through v the rod to apply the contactpiece I06 to the contacts 84 and 86, thus completing the circuit viacable I, electromagnet 83, contact 84, contact piece I06, contact 86,conductor 81, filament of the gun to which the relay is attached.

Figure 13 shows the relay when current has' been passed. If a currentpasses through the 'the influence of their springs move away from theelectromagnet and the blade 9| applies the contact piece I01 to thecontacts 85 and 00. This completes the circuit via cable I,electromagnet 83, contact 85, contact piece I0'I, contact 88, conductor89, filament of the next gun. A fresh passage of current in thiscircuit, which-is completed by the body of the gun and the ground,

will fire the second gun.

A plurality of appliances, each one except the last being provided withsuch a relay, can thus be connected to a single conductor for separateand successive taking of cores, since the relay of one gun after firingputs into circuit the fila-' ment of the next gun.

By connecting one or more of the insulated conductors of the cablecarrying the gun or guns to one or more electrodes fixed to the saidcable at the level of the guns it is possible to determine the exactposition of the guns in reference to the beds to be sampled, bymeasuring the resistivities and the spontaneous potential difierences ofthe strata forming the wall of the bore hole; each gun electricallyconnected by means of its filament to one of the conductors before thetaking of the sample could then itself serve, if required, as electrode.

As stated above, the herein described invention is an improvement uponthat described in United States Patent 2,020,856, which describes acoretaking device comprising a hollow projectile, firing mechanism forshooting said projectile into the adjacent soil, and retrieving meansfor withdrawing the hollow projectile with its enclosed core from thesoil. The invention herein described differs from that of said patentmainly in that it comprises flexible connecting means, instead of rigidconnecting means, between the projectile means and the gun, or the bodywhich carries the gun. Therefore, the combination of gun, coringprojectile and retrieving means broadly is not claimed broadly herein,such broad subject-matter of invention being described in said Patent2,020,856 and being claimed in an what clalmis: a 1. Amarrangement fortaking cores from the lateral wal of abore hole in the part thereof notyet lined ith casing. to be lowered to any desired depth and comprisinga hollow projectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall ofthe bore hole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a flexible connection between the projectile and the gun, meansfor lowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringingthem up to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

2. An arrangement for takingcores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a hollowprojectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall of the borehole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the rock by the deflagration of an explosive charge, aflexible metallic cable fixed at one end to the inside of the gun andat. the other end to the rear part of the projectile, means for loweringthe gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringing them up tothe surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

3. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a, hollowprojectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall of the borehole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a flexible metallic cable fixed at one end to the outside of thegun and at the other end to the front part of the projectile, means forlowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringing themup to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

4. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a hollowprojectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall of the borehole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a. plurality of flexible metallic cables fixed at one end ofeach to the outside of the gun and at the other end to the front part ofthe projectile, means for lowering the gun and projectile into the borehole and for bringing them up to the surface, and means for deflagratingthe explosive charge.

5. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a projectile Inthe form of a sampling tube open at its front end and provided withapertures at its rear end, a gun for shooting the said projectile intothe formation by the deflagration of an explosive charge, a flexibleconnection between the projectile and the gun, means for lowering thegun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringing them up to thesurface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

6. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a projectile inthe form of a sampling tube open at both ends, a gun for shooting thesaid projectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a flexible connection between the projectile and the gun, meansfor lowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringingthem up to the surface. and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

7. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a projectile inthe form of a sampling tube open at both ends, a gun for shooting thesaid projectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a core flxed inside the gun for guiding the projectile, aflexible connection between the projectile and the gun, means forlowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringing themup to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

8. An arrangement for taking cores .from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a projectile inthe form of a sampling tube closed at both ends and even empty of air,the front wall of the said tube being adapted to be forced in by theimpact of the projectile on to the formation, a gun for shooting thesaid projectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a flexible connection between the projectile and the gun, meansfor lowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringingthem up to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

9. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a projectile inthe form of a sampling tube closed at both ends and even empty of air,the front wall of the said tube being constituted of a plate soldered onand adapted to be sheared by the impact of the projectile on to theformation, a gun for shooting the said projectile into the formation bythe deflagration of an explosive charge, a flexible connection betweenthe projectile and the gun, means for lowering the gun and projectileinto the bore hole and for bringing them up to the surface, and meansfor deflagrating the explosive charge,

10. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a projectile inthe form of a sampling tube closed at both ends and even empty of air,the front wall of the said tube being adapted to be forced in by theimpact of the projectile on to the formation and the rear wall of thesaid tube having an aperture closed by a removable plug permitting theextraction of the core from the projectile, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a flexible connection between the projectile and the gun. meansfor lowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringingthem up to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

11. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a hollowprojectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall of the borehole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, means for ensuring tightness between the detonation chamber ofthe gun and the bore hole, a flexible connection between the projectileand the gun, means for lowering ing cores and samples of the fluidpermeating a porous bed in the lateral wall of a bore hole in "the partthereof not yet lined with casing, comprising a projectile in the formof a sampling tube closed at both ends, the front wall of the said tubebeing adapted to be forced in by the impact of the projectile onto theformation, an

.ering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringing themup to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

13. An arrangement for simultaneously taking cores and samples of thefluid permeating a porous bed in the lateral wall of a bore hole in thepart thereof not yet lined with casing, comprising a projectile in theform of a sampling tube closed at both ends, the front wall of the saidtube being adapted to be forced in by the impact of the projectile ontothe formation, an empty container arranged inside the said projectile, aspring valve closing the said container so as to permit the sample offluid to enter the container when the core is taken and to retain ittherein thereafter, an aperture closed by a removable plug beingprovided in the rear wall of the projectil to permit the recovery of thefluid stored in the said projectile, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge,- a flexible connection between the projectile and the gun, meansfor lowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringingthem up to the surface, and means for deflagrating the explosive charge.

14. An arrangement for simultaneously taking cores and samples of thefluid permeating a porous bed in the lateral wall of a bore hole in thepart thereof not yet lined with casing,

comprising a projectile in the form of a sampling tube closed at bothends, the front wall of the said tube being adapted to be forced in bythe impact of the projectile onto the formation, a gun for shooting thesaid projectile into theformation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a flexible tube fixed inside the gun, connected at one end tothe rear part of the projectile, an auxiliary reservoir for receivingthe sample of fluid, the other end of the flexible tube being connectedto the said reservoir, a spring valve being provided at the entrance ofthe reservoir to permit the sample of fluid to enter the reservoir whenthe core is taken and to retain it therein thereafter, means forlowering the gun, the projectile and the auxiliary reservoir into thebore hole and for bringing them up to the surface, and means fordeflagrating the explosive charge.

15. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a hollowprojectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall of the borehole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a filament in contact with the explosive charge enclosed in thedetonation chamber of the gun, this filament being connected at one endto one pole of an external source of current, having its other poleconnected to ground, and at the other end to the body of the gun, meansfor causing current to pass from the source to the filament-so as tocause the deflagration of the explosive charge by the heating of thesaid filament, a flexible connection between the projectile and the gun,and means for lowering the gun and projectile into the bore hole and forbringing them up to the surface.

16. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising a hollowprojectile for penetrating the formation forming the wall of the borehole and for taking a core from it, a gun for shooting the saidprojectile into the formation by the deflagration of an explosivecharge, a filament in contact with the explosive charge enclosed in thedetonation chamber of the gun, this filament being connected at one end.to one pole of an external source of current and at the other end to theother pole of the said source, means for causing current to pass fromthe source to the filament so as to cause the deflagration of theexplosive charge by the heating of the said filament, a flexibleconnection between the projectile and the gun, and means for loweringthe gun and projectile into the bore hole and for bringing them up tothe surface.

17. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing, comprising in combinationa plurality of guns adapted to be lowered simultaneously into the borehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles each.associated with one gun for penetrating the formation forming the wallof the bore hole and for taking a core from it, a flexible connectionbetween each projectile and the corresponding gun, means for'loweringthe group of guns into the bore hole and for bringing them up to thesurface, and means for deflagrating simultaneously or successively the"explosive charge in each gun. 18. An arrangement for taking cores fromthe lateral wall of a bore hole in the part thereof not yet lined withcasing comprising in combination a plurality of guns arranged to belowered simultaneously into the bore hole each to a different depththereof, hollow projectiles each associated with one gun for penetratingthe formation forming the wall of the bore hole and for taking a corefrom it, a flexible connection between each projectile and thecorresponding gun, filaments in contact with the explosive chargesenclosed in the detonation chambers of the several guns, electricalconnections from one end of each filament to one pole of an externalsource of current having its other pole connected to the ground, andfrom the other end to the body of the corresponding gun, means forcausing current to pass from the source to the set of filaments so as tocause the simultaneous deflagration of the explosive charges in the gunsby the heating of the said filaments, and means for lowering the groupof guns into the bore hole and for bringing them up to the surface.

19. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising in combinationa plurality of guns arranged to be lowered simultaneously into the borehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles eachassociated with one gun for penetrating the formation form- 7 to passfrom the source to the set of filaments and for varying the said currentso as to cause the successive deflagration of the explosive charges inthe guns by the heating of the said filaments, and means for loweringthe group of guns into the bore hole and for bringing them up to thesurface.

20. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising in combinationa plurality of guns arranged to belowered simultaneously into the borehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles eachassociated with one gun for penetrating the formation forming the wallof the bore hole and for taking a core from it, a flexible connectionbetween each projectile and the corresponding gun, filaments in contactwith the explosive charges enclosed in the detonation chambers of theseveral guns, electrical connections from one end of each filament toone pole of an external source of current having its other poleconnected to the ground and from the other end to the body of thecorresponding gun, means for causing current to pass from the source tothe filaments in succession so as to cause the successive defiagrationof the explosive charges in the guns by the heating of the saidfilaments, and means for lowering the group of guns into the bore holeand for bringing them up to the surface.

21. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising in combinationa plurality of guns arranged to be lowered simultaneously into the borehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles eachassociated with one gun for penetrating the formation forming the wallof the bore hole and for taking a core from it, a flexible connectionbetween each projectile and the corresponding gun, filaments in contactwith the explosive charges enclosed in the detonation chambers of theseveral guns, electrical connections from one end of each filament toone pole of an external source of current having its other poleconnected to the ground and from the other end to the body of thecorresponding gun, a movable mass constituting a contact member combinedwith' each gun in such a way as to move under the effect of the recoilof the gun to break the circuit of the filament associated with the saidgun and put into circuit the filament associated with the next gun,means for causing current to pass from the source to that filament whichis in circuit so as to cause the defiagration of the explosive charge inthe corresponding gun by the heating of the said filament, and means forlowering the group of guns into the bore hole and for bringing them upto the surface.

22. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising in combinationa plurality of guns arranged to be lowered simultaneously into theborehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles eachassociated with one gun for penetrating the formation forming the wallof the bore hole and for taking a core from it, a flexible connectionbetween each projectile and the corresponding gun, filaments in contactwith the explosive charges enclosed in the detonation chambers of thesevcral guns, electrical connections from one end of each filament toone pole of an external source of current having its other poleconnected to the ground and from the other end to the body of thecorresponding gun, an electromagnetic relay combined with each gun so asto break the circuit of the corresponding filament after the operationof the said gun and putinto circuit the filament of the next gun, andmeans for causing current to pass from the source to that filament whichis'in circuitso as to cause the deflagration of the explosive charge inthe corresponding gun by the heating of the said filament.

23. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising in combinationa plurality of guns arranged to be lowered simultaneously into the borehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles eachassociated with one gun for penetrating the formation forming the wallof the'bore hole and for taking a core from it, a flexible connectionbetween each projectile and the corresponding gun, means fordeflagrating the explosive charge in each gun, means for lowering thegroup of guns into the bore hole and for bringing them up to thesurface, electrodes attached to the said means at the levels of theseveral guns, and means for measuring with the aid of the saidelectrodes the r'esistivities and/or the spontaneous potentialdifferences of the formation forming the wall of the bore hole.

24. An arrangement for taking cores from the lateral wall of a bore holein the part thereof not yet lined with casing comprising in combinationa plurality of guns arranged to be lowered simultaneously into the borehole each to a different depth thereof, hollow projectiles eachassociated with one gun for penetrating the formation forming the wallof the bore hole and for taking a core from it, a flexible connectionbetween each projectile and the corresponding gun, means for loweringthe group of guns into the bore hole and for bringing them up to thesurface, filaments in contact with the explosive charges enclosed in thedetonation chambers of the several guns, electrical connections from oneend of each filament to one pole of an external source of current havingits other pole connected to the ground and from the other end to thebody of the corresponding gun, means for measuring with the aid of theguns acting as electrodes the resistivities and/or the spontaneouspotential difierences of the formation forming the wall of the borehole, and means for causing current to pass to each filament so as todeflagrate the explosive charge in the corresponding gun by the heatingof the said filament.

25. A core-taking device having in combination a gun, a hollowcore-taking projectile in the gun, and flexible connecting means betweenthe projectile and the gun.

26. The method of taking a core which comprises shooting a core-takingprojectile into the ground to take a core, maintaining at all times aflexible connection to said projectile, and retrieving said core-takingprojectile and contained core by pulling in said flexible-connection.

27. A core-taking device adapted to take a core 'having in'combination agun, means 8 from a. formation under a great depth of liquid, having incombination a gun, means to lower the gun to and recover the gun fromthe vicinity of the formation, a hollow core-taking projectile in thegun, explosive means in the gun to drive the projectile from the guninto the formation to take a core thereof, means protecting theexplosive means from the liquid, means to fire the gun, and flexibleconnecting means between the pro ectile and the gun, operative after thegun is fired, whereby at least that portion of the pro ectile containingthe core may be recovered from the formation.

28. A core-taking device adapted to take a core from a formation under agreat depth of liquid, to lower the gun to and recover the gun from thevicinity of the formation, a hollow core-taking projectile in the gun,explosive means in the gun to drive the projectile from the gun into theformation to D E S C i... A E

2,055,506.Marcel Schlumberger, Paris, France.

dated September 29, 1036.

take a core thereof, and flexible connecting means between theprojectile and the gun operative at all times.

29. A core-taking device having in combination a gun, a hollowcore-taking projectile in the gun, and flexible retrieving means securedto the projectile.

30. A core-taking device having in combination a hollow core-takingprojectile, means for explosively forcing said projectile into aformation, and flexible retrieving means secured to the projectile.

31. In apparatus for obtaining a sample of the formation at the bottomof a well, the combination of a projectile-firing device, means forlowering the same into the well, a projectile for said firing deviceformed with a sample-taking cavity in its front end, and flexibleconnecting means securing said projectile to said firing-deviceoperative after said firing device is fired.

. MARCEL SCHLUMBERGER.

(lone TAKING DEVICE. Patent .Disclnimm' filed December 12, .1939, by theassignee, Schlumbergcr Welt iSWrmgv ing Corporation. Hereby enters thisdisclaimer to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,

30, and 31.

{Ofiicial Gazette January 9, 1.940.]

DlSCLAlMER 2,055,506.Mmcel Schlumberger, Pnris, l m nee. (30m; TAKINGDmvmE. Patent dated September 29, 1936. Dlsvlmmer filed December 12,.1939, by the nsslgnee, Schlumberger Hill Sammy Ln Corporation.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 11, 25, 26,27, 28, 29,

30, and 31.

' [Oflic'ial Gazette January .9, 1.9401]

